Tottenham Hotspur will host League one facet Doncaster Rovers at their North London residence on Wednesday within the EFL Cup third-round showdown. Thomas Frank’s facet bypassed the primary two rounds due to their European participation, whereas their third-tier guests have already taken down Middlesbrough and Accrington Stanley away from residence.
Softfootball studies that the reigning Europa League champions have contested three EFL Cup finals since final lifting the trophy aloft 17 years in the past, however they settled for runners-up medals in 2009, 2015 and 2021 and had been agonizingly bested by Liverpool within the semi-finals of the 2024-25 version.
Third-round exits are additionally not unusual for Tottenham, who misplaced at this stage as not too long ago because the 2022-23 season to Nottingham Forest, whereas lower-league Colchester United shocked Spurs on penalties within the third spherical of the 2019-20 EFL Cup.
Nonetheless, it’s tough to envisage a seismic shock happening on Wednesday night, particularly with Spurs in a position to replicate on way more positives than negatives throughout the earliest days of Thomas Frank’s tenure, together with 4 wins from their final six in all competitions.
The hosts had but to point out a resilient edge earlier than the weekend’s Premier League journey to Brighton & Hove Albion, however they harnessed their fightback powers to attract 2-2 after falling 2-0 down on the Amex Stadium, whereas their guests had been on the opposite facet of the comeback coin.
For the guests, coach Grant McCann insists consideration will solely flip to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur as soon as he’s glad the problems from the defeat to AFC Wimbledon are put to mattress as define on Doncaster Rovers membership official web site.
Crew Information
Spurs are nonetheless lacking James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Kota Takai (foot), Yves Bissouma (knock) and Dominic Solanke (ankle), however Frank is hopeful of getting Randal Kolo Muani (lifeless leg) and Ben Davies (knee) again in rivalry for this one.
Neither man was concerned within the 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend, but when Davies is cleared to play, the Welshman will certainly be thought-about for a begin within the Lilywhites’ backline. Davies and Kevin Danso might type the protecting barrier in entrance of Antonin Kinsky, whereas Djed Spence and Future Udogie are the almost definitely candidates to begin within the full-back areas.
The versatile Archie Grey is a viable choice at right-back too, however Frank might as an alternative deploy {the teenager} as his midfield anchor, with Pape Sarr and Xavi Simons both facet of the trio.
Spurs boss shouldn’t be wanting choices for change up entrance both, and it will not be a complete shock to see Dane Scarlett earn a begin, however the 21-year-old might solely play 45 minutes of the match given his lack of soccer over the previous yr.
Scarlett and Kolo Muani might each take pleasure in one half every within the striker’s spot, whereas Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel must be given an opportunity to strut their stuff within the huge positions.
Doncaster Rovers head into the fixture aiming to rebound from a uncommon setback final day out, having made a powerful begin on their return to England’s third tier.
After profitable promotion and the League Two title final time round, the Yorkshire outfit discover themselves fifth having earned 16 factors from their first eight outings, profitable 5 and solely dropping two of these whereas conceding simply eight objectives.
Grant McCann’s facet managed three of these victories consecutively throughout late August and early September, seeing off Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers earlier than prevailing in a 3-1 Yorkshire Derby conquer Bradford Metropolis due to objectives from Luke Molyneux, Jordan Gibson and Billy Sharp.
A visit to Wigan Athletic then adopted, however the Rovers did not make it 4 wins in a row, as an alternative succumbing to a 3-0 beating as Dara Costelloe, Matthew Smith and Fraser Murray received on the scoresheet for his or her hosts, including salt to damage with one other defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday
Nonetheless sitting in a powerful place within the early levels of the League One time period, Doncaster Rovers will bid to place Saturday’s disappointment behind them as they journey to London for the Carabao Cup fixture in opposition to Spurs.
Doable Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur doable beginning lineup: Tottenham Hotspur doable beginning lineup: Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Grey, Simons; Johnson, Scarlett, Tel
Doncaster Rovers doable beginning lineup: Lawlor; Sterry, McGrath, Pearson, Maxwell; Bailey, Shut; Molyneux, Crew, Gibson, Sharp
The Carabao Cup might characterize Tottenham’s finest hope of touchdown a trophy in Thomas Frank’s maiden marketing campaign, so Spurs must be targeted sufficient to take pleasure in a routine win over lower-league Doncaster within the Carabao Cup’s Third Spherical.
Visiting Rovers Doncaster have gained their first two EFL Cup video games of the season by an combination rating of 6-0, however McCann’s males at the moment are trying extra weak defensively and can absolutely bow out in North London.
They’ve misplaced twice on the spin in League One and appeared off the tempo in defeats to Wigan and MK Dons, and Doncaster ought to discover the going simply as powerful within the capital, even when Thomas Frank fields a shuffled Tottenham XI. A house win is for certain.
